Music

There is a long and beautiful tradition of music in St. Vincent's Convent N.S. Throughout the years, the children have benefitted greatly from the emphasis placed on the value of music in education by such visionary and gifted musical educationalists as Sr. Benedicta, Mrs. Catherine McCarthy and Mrs. Eileen Liston. Many generations of children have passed through St. Vincent's having been part of the award-winning choirs conducted by these brilliant and inspiring choral conductors. The wonderful tradition is still strongly in evidence today as we work on developing the children's musical abilities. A strong focus on music appreciation in a variety of genres and the use of varied musical approaches continues to pervade the atmosphere in St. Vincent's.

Singing

Singing is a staple at the many religious and secular occasions held in St. Vincent's each year. The Senior Choir, made up of girls from 4th and 5th class, sing for the First Confession and Communion every year, conducted by Betty Fitzgerald, and assisted by Ms. Leslie Ann Matthews. The 6th class girls are beautifully prepared to sing the hymns and responses for their Confirmation mass each year.

Recorder

The ability to play a musical instrument opens up a world of opportunities for children as well as teaching them the invaluable skills of collaborating, theoretical music skills and music appreciation. A specialist instrumental teacher, Betty Fitzgerald, works with all girls from 2nd to 6th class for 45 minutes per week, teaching them to play the descant recorder.

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In recent years, groups of children from 5th and 6th class have entered the Recorder Band section of Feis Maitiú, where they have enjoyed considerable success. Last year, a recorder group entertained passers-by on Shandon Street with a set of jazz tunes during the Cork Jazz Festival.

Recorder

Drumming

We at St. Vincent's are very lucky to have Eamonn Cagney as our drumming teacher. He comes to the school every Wednesday with his huge collection of African djembe drums and percussion instruments. All classes from Junior Infants to 6th class are given the chance to experience playing percussion, and their sense of rhythm and pulse are developed through ensemble playing as well as their composing and listening skills. The children play drums in the various concerts throughout the year, as well as collaborating with literacy initiatives such as performance literacy.

Drumming

Guitar

Joerg Mikanski, our specialist guitar tutor, takes three groups of children per week from 3rd to 6th class and teaches them guitar. They learn music from a variety of genres, from popular music to rock, rnb and indie. Each Christmas the guitar groups showcase their talents at the Christmas concerts. The children also work hard to prepare for the end of year concert, where they play songs and are joined on stage by a group of singers who they accompany.

Guitar

Cór Fhéile na Scol

Each year, St. Vincent's enter the maximum amount of items allowed in the Cór Fhéile. The atmosphere created by non-competitive performances is very special and the girls enjoy participating when their turn comes around.

Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland

In recent years our senior girls have sung with the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland in Cork City Hall in their countrywide tours. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to perform with a large group of children from a number of schools in Cork city and young musicians from both sides of the border under the baton of Gearóid Grant, conductor. Seehttp://www.cboi.ie/for more information.

Cork Folk Festival

During the Cork Folk Music Festival, we invited Mel Mercier, Professor of Music at UCC, and Míchéal Ó Súilleabháin, Professor of Music at UL to play for us. The fusion of different genres was spellbinding and the children were transfixed. Groups of Irish traditional musicians regularly come to play for the children, which again is a musical highlight of our school year.